Buying property in Turkey: advice before the deposit

01

Before a reservation payment

Ask for the written reservation terms and identify the recipient of the money. A promise made in a message may not match the contract you are asked to sign. Legit Law can review the proposed terms and explain the questions still unresolved.

• Who is the seller, agent or developer, and who signs?
• Is the payment refundable, conditional or deducted from the purchase price?
• What documents and checks must be supplied before the next payment?

02

Title and property checks

The title deed (Tapu), seller authority and registered restrictions need to be considered alongside the property's planning and permit position. A completed unit and an off-plan purchase raise different questions; the review should reflect the actual transaction.

• Match the property offered to its title details
• Investigate recorded mortgages, restrictions and other encumbrances
• Request relevant building and occupancy documentation
• Identify missing records and conditions to resolve before proceeding

03

Contract, transfer and citizenship are separate questions

Review delivery, payment, cancellation and dispute terms before signing. If citizenship is part of your plan, request a separate assessment of the investment and your circumstances. A property's marketing description is not an approval decision.

• Record the agreed specification, delivery obligations and payment milestones
• Clarify the consequences of delay or cancellation
• Plan title-transfer and any authority-to-act arrangements
• Assess citizenship requirements separately from the purchase contract

Before your consultation

Can I start a review before travelling to Turkey?

Yes. Send an initial summary and the documents you already have. We can discuss the review scope remotely; any original-document, representation or attendance requirements are confirmed for your transaction.

Can a deposit always be recovered?

No automatic refund should be assumed. The answer depends on the signed terms, payment evidence and facts. If you have already paid, preserve the agreement, receipts and correspondence and seek advice before making further commitments.

Does buying a property guarantee residence or citizenship?

No. Ownership, residence permission and citizenship are different matters. The relevant route and current requirements need to be assessed separately, and the competent authority decides an application.